Newton mayor standing up for accused fire chief

Monday

Aug 25, 2008 at 12:01 AMAug 25, 2008 at 7:20 PM

Mayor David Cohen is standing behind Fire Chief Joseph LaCroix after marijuana was found in the department head's city-issued car last week. Cohen will not call for a drug test nor will he place LaCroix on administrative leave, saying he believes there is no evidence LaCroix was involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever.

Chrissie Long

Mayor David Cohen is standing behind Fire Chief Joseph LaCroix after marijuana was found in the department head's city-issued car last week.

Cohen will not ask for a drug test nor will he place LaCroix on administrative leave, saying that he believes there is no evidence LaCroix was involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever.

“I have every reason to believe Chief LaCroix had no knowledge that there were illicit drugs in his city vehicle,” Cohen said. “I have known Joe LaCroix for more than a decade. He has served in the Newton Fire Department for 36 years, and his record as Chief of the Department over the last [five] years has been exemplary. There is no evidence that he was involved in any wrongful activity.”

A police investigation is taking place in Marlborough, where LaCroix resides. LaCroix has said he was shocked to find the marijuana in his car, but he told Channel 7 that it might have belonged to a family member.

Firefighters assigned to clean the chief’s car found a small amount of marijuana under the driver's seat Thursday, according to police reports. They brought their findings to the chief’s attention who immediately went to City Hall to report it.

The chief said he was unaware that the drugs were in his car and denied ever using or possessing illegal drugs in his three decades as a firefighter.

Cohen is taking his word for it.

At his weekly news conference, Cohen said, “I want to make it clear that Chief LaCroix is being treated and will continue to be treated no differently than any other city employee would be treated under these circumstances.”

Because there is no “just cause” – meaning that LaCroix did not show up unfit for duty and he was not charged with a crime – Cohen does not think placing LaCroix on administrative leave is the appropriate course of action.

According to Lieutenant Bruce Apotheker, the repercussions for drug possession vary from case to case. Typically, when large amounts of marijuana are found on an individual, officers do have the right of arrest. But with small amounts – as in LaCroix’s situation – the penalty could be as small as confiscation.

“It is different in each situation,” Apotheker said. “Typically, it’s left to the officer’s discretion in how the situation in handled.”

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